Quick question re: antibiotics

[SlightlyJaded]

I have just finished a course of Amoxicillin for a tooth abscess and it hasn't cleared up. Dentist has now give me a prescription for metronidazole. I know you have to avoid all alcohol including mouthwash etc and that's fine, but I am a bit nervous about taking it because a few years back, I was prescribed Erythromycin for something and ended up being so sick with it that I had to be put on a drip as I was dehydrated. I was literally vomiting every ten minutes for about twenty four hours.

Can anyone tell me if Metronidazole is in the same 'family' as Erythromycin or whether my reaction to E might flag a likely reaction to M? Tooth is agony but can't go there again...

Thanks!

I can't have Erythromycin but can have Metronidazole.

It can make you feel a bit bleurgh but I tolerate it well enough to have it for dental infections. Gives you an odd metallic taste in your mouth, if I remember.

If I were you I'd ring the GP and check, before starting to take it

Thanks. Tried the GP yesterday but closed.

Anyone else managed to tolerate M but not E? Toothache is awful but still dithering....

Metronidazole and Erythromycin are not the same type of drug.
I can't take Metronidazole but am ok with Erythromycin and Amoxycillin.

If I were you I'd ring the GP and check, before starting to take it. Why?! The dentist prescribed it so they should be able to answer basic questions like this. It’s not a GP problem.

Erythro & metro are from different drug classes.

No it is not the same class of antibiotic. Take it with or soon after food to help stop any stomach upset.

Thank you. This is reassuring. I know it's one of the hardcore ones, and that's ok but the constant puking was a step too far!!!

Ask a pharmacist if you want reassurance.
As always, make sure you read the leaflet that comes with the tablets.

Erythromycin affects both of us badly, feel like I’ve been drugged.

Call a pharmacist to ask, they have far more knowledge.

@Greybeardy

If I were you I'd ring the GP and check, before starting to take it. Why?! The dentist prescribed it so they should be able to answer basic questions like this. It’s not a GP problem.

Erythro & metro are from different drug classes.

Dentist, then. I"m sorry I wasn't clearer but there's no need to get so steamed up. I simply meant that (IMO) OP should check with a medical professional given what she told us about the bad experience he had in the past.

I can't have Erythromycin but can have Metronidazole.

Same here. Erythromycin brings me out in a rash, I am fine with metranidozole.

Also, prob not needed for a tooth, but if there's a need for a particular type of antibiotic (eg due to drug resistance) and it makes you puke, you can get anti-emetics prescribed at the same time (I puked my guts up on Doxycycline, could just about keep it under control with anti emetics).

Hopefully you will be fine on metranidozole - I didn't have any adverse reaction to that one.

Hey op, hope the new antibiotic is having the desired effect. Just wanted to say after two intense courses of antibiotics it would be really beneficial to your guts and health to have some probiotics. Speaking from experience and wishing someone had suggested it to me earlier. Hope you feel better

Thanks for checking in.

I spoke to the pharmacist when I took my prescription in. He reassured me that my intolerance to Erythromycin wasn't an issue. So took for a few days with a daily probiotic (£29.99 for 20 ) and had no issues with nausea or upset tummy. Did make me feel a bit fuzzy headed but that's ok.

It’s a different class of antibiotics.

If patients have vomited/had diarrhoea I wouldn’t class that as a true allergy the same way as rash or anaphylaxis or problems breathing. I’d consider giving it to you if necessary with anti sickness meds. Metronidazole made me feel grim and a bit sicky but worth it to clear up a dental infection.

Trust me if you’re septic and in hospital and haven’t responded to antibiotics you do not want a long list of allergies limiting the doctors options....

Ask for an anti sickness pill if worried and don’t drink on it! Get well soon xx